Grace and peace, everyone. Here's a new piece---text, tune, and harmonization mine---on the Sacred Heart of the Lord Jesus. I've called the tune CORONA SPINEA; it is in 9.7.9.7.3.3.7.
1. A crown of thorns the world has plaited, Jesus Christ, around Your Heart; The true Messiah long-awaited Steadfast suffers wicked art; Pride and scorn Here are borne Sin by sin and thorn by thorn.
2. That human Heart in joy was fashioned Daily 'neath Our Lady's own And sang salvation through Your Passion On the Holy Cross alone; Sweetest Friend, Born to spend Of Your music till the end!
3. Your splendid Heart, O Lord arisen, Bleeding, breaking, loves us still And beats with Truth, that we might listen To Your Word and do Your Will; Yet what ear Bends to hear In this world of flames and fear?
4. O Sacred Heart of Christ my treasure, Grant that I, a sinner born, May sing your mercies passing measure, Fearing not the crown of thorn; Suffering, Yet I'll bring This poor heart to my true King!
This text is wonderful. The tune is good, I think it is a little clunky in places. If I were to edit this melody, I would do: -m1 b4 quarter note on D -m2 b 3 quarter note on C -m3 b3 2 eight notes (B-A) leading down to G -m4-m8 make similar alterations where melody is symmetric -I would remove the arpeggiation in the melody in m4. I would change m 12 to be symmetric with whatever change was made in 4 -I would change most of the f#s to f natural -I would end m8 on the tonic chord -I would reharmonize some sections but written harmony is just a suggestion for most hymns anyway... :)
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